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Real Estate Information |
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Escrow From a California Homeowners Perspective
The Escrow Process Both Buyer and Seller deserve the assurance that no funds or property will change hands until all of the instructions in the Purchase Contract have been satisfied. The Realtor submits Buyers and Sellers signed documents and Buyer's deposit money to be held by an independent neutral third party (Escrow). After the conditions agreed upon by both Buyer and Seller (in the Purchase Contract) are satisfied, Escrow then distributes the documents and the funds. The escrow holder is an independent neutral third party; works for both the Buyer and the Seller, and is authorized to follow the specific written instructions provided by both parties. Escrow functions: Receives and deposits (into escrow's account) Buyer's initial deposit and prepares escrow package. Requests "demands" (pay-off statements) from existing lenders and/or lien holders. Obtains Seller's notarized signature on grant deed. Safeguards grant deed until all terms and conditions are met and Buyer's remaining certified funds are on deposit. Orders title search and receives and distributes preliminary title report. Calculates prorations pertaining to property taxes, rents, insurance, interest, and other expenses as required. Coordinates with Buyer's lender throughout the escrow process. Orders and processes Buyer's loan documents. Coordinates Buyer's signing of loan documents and their return to Buyer's lender. Receives Buyer's final down payment funds and coordinates funding with Buyer's lender. Orders recordation of grant deed conveying title to Buyer and distributes all funds: pays-off existing loans; pays other required costs, such as termite completion, home protection policy; etc. Releases net proceeds to Seller. Simultaneously, the Buyer and the Buyer's lender are engaged with the loan approval process. Lender duties: Orders a credit report and other credit documentation as required (mortgage ratings, landlord ratings). Reviews the Buyer's credit and when necessary obtains satisfactory explanations from the Buyer regarding any negative credit history. Verifies the Buyer's sources of income. Verifies that the Buyer has adequate liquid funds for down payment, closing costs, and reserves. Requests an appraisal of the property, and verifies that the property's value is equal to the contract sales price. Submits the loan to for final approval. Coordinates delivery of the Buyer's loan documents to the escrow officer.And in the meantime... While the escrow officer, lender, and Buyer are diligently working, the Seller and the Listing Agent also have responsibilities: Numerous disclosures required by law need to be made by the Seller and the Listing Agent and provided to the buyer. Provide escrow officer information on existing loans to check against title search findings. Make the home available for physical inspection and other trades people as required by the purchase contract, such as licensed Termite Company and lender's appraiser. Make any repairs agreed upon in purchase contract, or as required by local ordinance (water heater strapping, smoke detectors, etc.). In order for your escrow to proceed smoothly, your Realtor's job is to coordinate and oversee the above chain of events. Similar to dominos - each event must occur in a timely fashion. You need an experienced Realtor because delays in any of these events may result in the postponement of escrow's scheduled closing date. The Escrow Process Both Buyer and Seller deserve the assurance that no funds or property will change hands until all of the instructions in the Purchase Contract have been satisfied. The Realtor submits Buyers and Sellers signed documents and Buyer's deposit money to be held by an independent neutral third party (Escrow). After the conditions agreed upon by both Buyer and Seller (in the Purchase Contract) are satisfied, Escrow then distributes the documents and the funds. The escrow holder is an independent neutral third party; works for both the Buyer and the Seller, and is authorized to follow the specific written instructions provided by both parties. Escrow functions: Receives and deposits (into escrow's account) Buyer's initial deposit and prepares escrow package. Requests "demands" (pay-off statements) from existing lenders and/or lien holders. Obtains Seller's notarized signature on grant deed. Safeguards grant deed until all terms and conditions are met and Buyer's remaining certified funds are on deposit. Orders title search and receives and distributes preliminary title report. Calculates prorations pertaining to property taxes, rents, insurance, interest, and other expenses as required. Coordinates with Buyer's lender throughout the escrow process. Orders and processes Buyer's loan documents. Coordinates Buyer's signing of loan documents and their return to Buyer's lender. Receives Buyer's final down payment funds and coordinates funding with Buyer's lender. Orders recordation of grant deed conveying title to Buyer and distributes all funds: pays-off existing loans; pays other required costs, such as termite completion, home protection policy; etc. Releases net proceeds to Seller. Simultaneously, the Buyer and the Buyer's lender are engaged with the loan approval process. Lender duties: Orders a credit report and other credit documentation as required (mortgage ratings, landlord ratings). Reviews the Buyer's credit and when necessary obtains satisfactory explanations from the Buyer regarding any negative credit history. Verifies the Buyer's sources of income. Verifies that the Buyer has adequate liquid funds for down payment, closing costs, and reserves. Requests an appraisal of the property, and verifies that the property's value is equal to the contract sales price. Submits the loan to for final approval. Coordinates delivery of the Buyer's loan documents to the escrow officer.And in the meantime... While the escrow officer, lender, and Buyer are diligently working, the Seller and the Listing Agent also have responsibilities: Numerous disclosures required by law need to be made by the Seller and the Listing Agent and provided to the buyer. Provide escrow officer information on existing loans to check against title search findings. Make the home available for physical inspection and other trades people as required by the purchase contract, such as licensed Termite Company and lender's appraiser. Make any repairs agreed upon in purchase contract, or as required by local ordinance (water heater strapping, smoke detectors, etc.). In order for your escrow to proceed smoothly, your Realtor's job is to coordinate and oversee the above chain of events. Similar to dominos - each event must occur in a timely fashion. You need an experienced Realtor because delays in any of these events may result in the postponement of escrow's scheduled closing date. Phyllis Harb, a California native is a Realtor/Marketing Specialist at RE/Max Tri City in La Canada, California. RE/MAX Tri-City offers additional offices in La Crescenta, Glendale, Los Feliz and Pasadena. Harb has been assisting Los Angeles County home sellers and buyers since 1989 and additionally offers over 10 years experience in real estate lending. Harb has an award winning web site @ http://www.RealtorHarb.com & may also be contacted at 818 790-7325.
MORE RESOURCES: Experts predicted Minnesota real estate agents would quit, 5 INVESTIGATES found a different reality 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Altadena’s rough real estate market: Slower sales, lower prices, lottery winner plucking up properties Los Angeles Times Real estate magazine reports Les Wexner as Blue Heron buyer The Martha's Vineyard Times Real estate expert warns socialist mayoral candidate could trigger massive NYC exodus - Fox Business Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson sets up shop in the Valley, records show The Business Journals Bedrock flexes its real estate portfolio to grow Detroit's tech ecosystem - Crain's Detroit Business Bedrock flexes its real estate portfolio to grow Detroit's tech ecosystem Crain's Detroit Business Office real estate wide open in Denver as vacancy rate hits 36 percent Colorado Public Radio Vail Valley real estate inventory is on the rise VailDaily.com NAR Real Estate Forecast Summit National Association of REALTORS® Real Estate Partners Dollar Tree Let's Talk Business: June residential real estate sales lagging, heritage grants and more Pueblo Chieftain A New Perspective: Here Comes the Groom | Real Estate Insights Piedmont Exedra Boston Real Estate Times Unveils 2025 Excellence Award Winners: Honoring the Visionaries Shaping New England’s Future Boston Real Estate Times Dawson County weekly real estate transactions, July 18 Central Nebraska Today State lawmaker joins Westport commercial real estate brokerage as vice president Hartford Business Journal Bard College hires real estate advisor and broker to sell Simon’s Rock campus - The Berkshire Edge Private Credit Surges in 2025 as Real Estate Developers Bypass Banks The World Property Journal Real estate news: Senior apartments in Tustin sell for $83M; Fullerton Metrocenter snares $118M Orange County Register 5 Essential Tech Tools for Real Estate Agents National Association of REALTORS® New York Housing Market Trends 2025: Is the Tide Turning for Buyers? 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July 18 real estate transactions The Providence Journal The Pipeline: Commercial real estate roundup for 7.18.25 Richmond BizSense LOCAL REAL ESTATE TODAY 7.18.25 KQEN News Radio Home Buyers: Stop Freaking Out After the Home Inspection National Association of REALTORS® Home Buyers May Have Accepted a New Norm on Rates National Association of REALTORS® Tips on spotting real estate investment opportunities and avoiding risks, from experts at GR Property Group Community Impact SRS Real Estate Negotiates $4.5 Million Sale of Walmart-Anchored Property in Metro Orlando Shopping Center Business Miami-Dade’s self-storage surge a boom for real estate IslanderNews.com Hunt Companies Acquires Controlling Interest in Carter, Strengthening Real Estate Development Platform Business Wire Stage Point Europe Launches Its RWA Token $SPET, Setting it up as a Bridge Between Crypto and Real Estate Morningstar Top Stocks for Real Estate Investment Elite AI Stock Forecasts - Massive wealth growth Jammu Links News New plans unveiled for Water Street’s second phase Tampa Bay Times July Economist Snapshot: What Will the Big Beautiful Bill Mean for Commercial Real Estate and Housing? 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